New footballing season is upon us and with the announcement of Cesc Fabregas staying at Arsenal the business is over for the club at the transfer market for now. The two signings this season, namely David Villa from Valencia and Adriano from Sevilla are in my opinion nothing less than perfect for the style of play. The manager Josep Guardiola has signed an extension for another year and has already made it very clear that the club objectives are to win it all again just like they did in his very first year as a manager. Let us now discuss the most efficient starting line-up for arguably the best footballing team on the planet at present.
The formation is a typical attacking formation of 4-3-3.
Goalkeeper : VICTOR VALDES
There is not really any competition for this one. Pinto is a decent keeper as well but is prone to accidents as we saw against all star K- League and Ruben Mino is still very young. More over Valdes has a lot of experience and has proved himself at this level.
Right Back : DANIEL ALVES
With the arrival of Adriano mainly as a cover for the careless Dani Alves it would be interesting to see how both of them are used in the first line up by the manager but for this position Alves should be the first choice because he is quick, loves to attack and has a special ability to put pin point crosses into the box. Also he has a good chemistry with Lionel Messi on the right flank.
Centre Back : GERARD PIQUE
Gerard Pique is one of the young centre backs who has earned his place in the starting line up due to his calm and composed performances during the previous two seasons. Some might think that he is prone to accidents and Gabriel Milito should be ahead of him because he has been in decent form after his return from a serious injury. For me Pique is a big match player and he can only improve from here on so his place is rightly reserved.
Centre Back : CARLOS PUYOL
The skipper, the catalan hero and a inspiration to anyone who wants to be a defender. Capable of playing anywhere in the defensive line should be deployed in the centre much to his brilliance in this position over the past few years and also the abundance of full backs in the squad. There is no question to be raised on his spot.
Left Back : ANDRADE MAXWELL
Might come as a shock to many if chosen ahead of the frenchman Eric Abidal and the new signing Adriano but I am not one of them. He had an amazing first season for the club and has proved that he is good enough to replace Abidal in the starting line-up. Also the frenchman has had a injury plagued season and a horrible world cup and the age of 30. Moreover has somehow lost his amazing crossing ability he possessed and whan he played in the few later matches he looked like a man who left his legs home. Maxwell loves to get forward and has improved his crossing a lot. Would be interesting to see how Guardiola uses him this season.
Centre Defensive Midfield : SERGIO BUSQUETS
I was not the biggest fan of the catalan and initially failed to understand why was he used so much when the manager had the naturally gifted Yaya Toure at his disposal but I will have to say that Guardiola got it absolutely correct. He has a very special ability to be in the right place at the right time and to win the ball back in a neat manner. At a very young age he has a very special ability to man mark important players out of the game, be it Kaka against Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the Season, Fabregas against Arsenal in the first leg of the tie, Mesut Oezil in the semi-final of the world cup or Wesley Sneijder in the finals. Seydou Keita is expected to provide cover for the young player incase of injury or suspension.
Centre Midfield : XAVI HERNANDES
The midfield maestro is one of the most creative players on the face of this planet and probably the engine of the best national and club teams on earth. There is no one who can dictate the pace of the game as well as create assists by providing one pass after the other, each of that looks better than the previous one and is almost impossible to intercept for the opposition defenders.
Centre Midfield : ANDRES INIESTA
The hero of Spain, the match savior has time to time come to rescue of the team be it against Chelsea in the semi-final of 2009 Champions League or the World Cup final against Netherlands. His passing with Xavi and Messi is almost telepathic and can unlock any defense on the field. One can only hope that he has a injury free season as he is hard to find a replacement for.
Right Forward : LIONEL MESSI
The heart of FC Barcelona, the love of Camp Nou or the Star of La Masia. The current player of the year is gearing up to make up for the bad World Cup ( bad because he did not win it, though i think he played amazing football) and is ready to shine once more for his club. Barcelona do need his services and everyone saw the impact he can have on a game against Arsenal in the Champions League and more recently against the K-League which looked like a stroll in the park to him. Hopefully he will have an injury free season as he can only get better from here, still cannot believe he is just 23.
Left Forward : DAVID VILLA
'El Gauje' has finally arrived and will be one of the most important attacking component of the club football team this year. Probably in the form of his life and also coming on the back of an amazing World Cup should definitely fit the style of play specially if he is deployed in the left where he has tormented defenders cutting in from the edge of the box followed by a clinical finish. With Messi playing the same role on the other flank, the attack is mouth watering.
Central Striker : ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Ibrahimovic has finally put an end to all speculations of leaving the club and looks determined to improve on his first season performance which was substandard by his high standard. Nonetheless he is a very special player and can make scoring goals look very easy for instance the thunderbolt he drove into Iker Cassillas' goal at Camp Nou or the two clinical finishes at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal but just like Samuel Eto'o has been guilty of missing very easy chances and should do better this time.
This line up is more than capable of beating any side any where on any ground. It remains to be seen if the lady luck is on their side or not. Come what may it would be a great side to watch in action.
